Jayne Becca

15 minute yoga flow for energy

2015-01-16T13:51:00.000+00:00

Hey all! Is it just me or has this week gone super fast? It's Friday already! Today is a beautiful sunny day in Bristol which makes a welcome change after all the storms we have had over the past couple of days.

Today I am bringing to you a 15 minute yoga flow for energy. This is a great sequence to do whenever you are lacking a little on the energetic front. As always remember to stay with your breath, allowing it to energise and guide you, also you can work towards your edge but be sure to back off if you feel any pain or over stretching.

Enjoy! And please do let me know if you find this video useful and don't forget to subscribe.Tweet me @jaynebecca or instagram me a photo to check in and use the hashtag #JBYvideo so that I can find you!

Alo Yoga Goddess Leggings

2015-01-13T15:14:00.001+00:00

I am always on the lookout for good quality active wear and when I spotted that Yoga Rebel were now stocking Alo Yoga clothing I HAD to pick myself up a pair of their famous Goddess Leggings.

Let me just say that they really lived up to the name and I was seriously impressed.

The details...

I love that these leggings come in all kinds of fun colours but for me I needed a good pair of leggings to replace my trusty old and very well worn high quality Lululemon leggings so I opted for the black/ heather. At only 5'2" I was concerned that these leggings would be too long for me but although the inseam is longer for 'scrunch action' (their words not mine!) I didn't find the length to be a problem. I kinda like that they are a little too long as I can mess around with said scrunch action.

The quality of the material is super high, very much on par with my old Lululemon leggings. They have a nice wide waistband that doesn't dig in which includes a useful hidden pocket for keys or a card. They promise to be super flattering which I think they are. I feel really comfortable wearing them.

I have worn them for a few workouts (spinning), practising and teaching yoga. They stay in place and are sweat wicking. You also have a great freedom of movement, they don't feel restrictive at all.

They are priced at £67.95 in the UK ($94.00 in the US) which compared to Sweaty Betty prices of £85 for yoga leggings isn't too bad. If you are in the UK you can find the Alo Yoga leggings online at Yoga Rebel along with tank tops and sports bras (I have my eye on this cute sports bra next). If you are in the US check out Alo Yoga.

What's your favourite pair of yoga pants that you own?

Shop the Goddess Leggings below.

How to do crow to chaturanga jump backs

2015-01-12T16:36:00.003+00:00

Today I was filming my Friday yoga flow video for you all but I wanted to share a really fun transition which we often see in yoga practice - the crow to chaturanga jump back. It might seem impossible to begin with, trust me, that's exactly what I thought when I began my yoga journey, but it's a fun one to have a play around with at home or in class.

Make sure you are warmed up before you begin and have a strong foundation in crow pose. Most of all... have fun with it!

Shop the Alo Yoga Goddess Leggings below.

8 Minute Basic Yoga Warm Up

2015-01-09T11:27:00.001+00:00

And hello it's Friday! Is it just me or has this week been super long? It's always a challenge to get back into the swing of things after the holidays, ugh - early mornings. Coffee has been my friend this week, I'm not going to lie!

As promised here is my first yoga video. I am learning as I go so expect the quality to improve as I learn to use the camera and how to edit over the next few weeks (well, I hope it will at least!). This is a basic warm up for yoga or if you are about to do a cardio routine. It is accessible for all levels but as always listen to your body and just do what feels good.

In my own personal yoga practice this week I have been working on my forearmstands so be sure to follow me on Instagram for some more yoga related fun!

A video posted by Jayne (@jaynebecca) on Jan 8, 2015 at 4:43am PST

Have a fun weekend!

Yoga Tips // Downward Dog

2015-01-08T15:37:00.001+00:00

Downward dog is a pose which we see a lot in yoga especially when flowing through sun salutations and sequences. However it can also be one of the most challenging poses at first. Beginners often find it difficult to stay in the pose however, with time and while building strength and flexibility you will eventually be able to soften into the pose.

Don't worry about getting your heels on the ground. Often I see students in a very short down dog stance because they are determined to have their heels on the ground. Try to avoid this, instead focusing on the foundation of the pose and then working on lengthening the hamstrings.

Lift your hips up and back towards the sky, this should be your highest point, keep your tailbone high. Spread the fingers wide, I often use the phrase 'wide like starfish' in my classes as it really encourages you to spread the fingers. Push into the fingertips and the tops of the hands. This will help to ground you. Make sure that your fingers are facing towards the front of the mat, this should help to protect the wrists. Let go of any tension in the head and the neck and gaze towards the back of the room.

Have your feet hip width apart and your hands shoulder distance apart. Often a lot of people have their feet too wide, draw them together so that the feet are just underneath the hip bones. Lengthen through the spine and remember to breathe!

New Year, New YouTube Channel

2015-01-06T09:34:00.000+00:00

Hello! I've had this in the works for a little while so I am excited to share with you that my 2015 project is my Jayne Becca Yoga YouTube channel! I will be sharing a new yoga video every Friday with you and as always, I am up for requests and suggestions. So if you have any suggestions for videos, flows or poses please let me know.

Don't forget to like, subscribe and share :)

(On a side note please excuse the lighting, I had the camera on the wrong setting!)

Review // Jimmy's Iced Coffee

2015-01-05T11:00:00.000+00:00

If you know me then you know that I love coffee! I need to have my daily dose. I usually stick to just one cup on most days as I know it is a little bit of a vice. However I am a huge believer in balance in a healthy lifestyle so yes, the coffee stays!

Coffee is great for a little bit of 'pep' before heading out for a run or to the gym. That's where Jimmy's Iced Coffee comes in. I am a big fan of iced coffee and I love Jimmy's Iced Coffee for on the go convenience, so when a box landed on my doorstep containing a selection of iced coffees for me to try I got a little overexcited. Let's face it no ones really feels like jumping out of bed at this time of the year, the mornings are cold and dark, so a little bit of an extra boost to get you moving is just what you need! I like to grab one my my way out the door to teach yoga and I have found that I have that little bit of extra energy I need to lead an early morning class.

One of the best things about Jimmy's Iced Coffee, I think, is that it only has four ingredients - coffee, milk, sugar and water - no nasty sweeteners or additives. Personally I would rather have sugar in a drink over chemically derived nastiness any day!

Jimmy's Iced Coffee is available from Boots, Waitrose, Tesco Express, Whole Foods and a few other places. RRP £1.59. What's your favourite pre or post workout drink?

Share the Love // My most read blogs of 2014

2015-01-04T17:22:00.002+00:00

Happy Sunday! I have had a busy weekend going back to teaching (which I missed a lot!) four yoga classes over the weekend. It's been great to see all the regulars in my classes again and also some new faces. Often on a Sunday I use the evening to catch up on reading blogs, so today I thought that I would share a few of my favourite blog reads with you all.

Dance, Flow, Lift. Natasha from Dance, Flow, Lift (which I helped her name!) is a fellow health and fitness blogger. Tash comes from a dance background and teaches Barrecore in London which, on a side note I wish they would bring to Bristol as I would love to give a class a try. I finally met Tash on a whirlwind trip to London in October, hopefully next time I am in London we can meet for a proper chat! Anyway I got side tracked (oops!), her blog has been one which I read on a weekly basis, I love catching up on posts and following her yoga journey.

Couture Girl. I have watched Kayelighs blog grow and grow and it has been well deserved. It is my one stop shop for everything beauty related as Kayleigh always gives detailed and honest reviews of products. She also posts personal posts which deal with issues close to her heart. I have watched her grow into herself through this blog and I cannot wait to see where her journey takes her next!

The Blonde Ethos. Another fellow health and fitness blogger Natalie always has gorgeous photos on her blog and she gets to attend some fun blogger events in London. I love seeing how other people stay on track with their healthy lifestyle and I love the detailed advice which Natalie gives on her blog.

Veronika's Blushing. This is a bit of a different blog as it is a real mixture of posts. I have followed Veronika's blog for years, having found her through her YouTube channel. Over the past year and a bit she has journeyed into motherhood which I have read with interest. I still love her outfit and beauty posts, also she has the most amazing hair. I love reading her blog simply because it is an honest documentation of her life and I have loved seeing her little family grow.

These of course are only a small selection of the blogs I read, there are too many to mention but these are a few of my favourites. Do you have any blog reading suggestions? Let me know in the comments section below.

An Intention for the New Year

2015-01-01T15:41:00.000+00:00

Happy new year Jayne Becca readers! I wish you happiness for the new year. 2015 is going to be super exciting for both my blog and my yoga. Exciting things are coming for both my local students and YOU, yes you my online readers. I wanted to say thank you again for all your support this year and watch this space, I have exciting plans for next week!

So today is the 1st of January. A day where people often set 'new year resolutions' which is good but did you know that apparently 80% of people fail with keeping their new year resolutions. 80%! That's a lot. The cause of this is that we often start from a place of feeling that we are not good enough and we then allow our ego to imagine how we would like to be. We then think that happiness will come from achieving that goal.

Here's the thing - we already have all we need to achieve that goal within us. We can learn to focus our mind, connect with our dreams and channel our inner power to reach our potential. Where the mind goes, energy flows.

Make a commitment to yourself which will guide your choices, create a statement or a mantra. Make sure to be happy with all that you already are in order to fulfil that potential. Start everyday with gratitude. By being grateful for what you have sends positive energy out into the universe. You cannot expect to receive positive energy if you don't send out positive energy yourself.

Try not to use the phrases 'I want' or 'I will' instead use I AM.

I am strong.

I am confident.

I am motivated.

I am healthy and whole.

I am inspiring.

I am healing and loving myself.

I am full of love, light and life.

So create that mantra, use your breath to help still the mind. Tune into that inner voice. Let go of the ego that does not serve you and let your light shine.

If you are in Bristol and want to explore more of this subject with me I am hosting a Goal for the Soul workshop which will be the perfect way to interweave our intentions with a powerful, ground yoga practice. Email me for my info or see my website.

Getting over the Christmas Indulgence

2014-12-31T15:30:00.002+00:00

Whilst browsing my Twitter feed the other day I noticed that a lot of people were beating themselves up over what they ate or drank over the festive period which was the inspiration for writing this blog post. Trust me when I say that in the past I was the queen of self criticism, especially at this time of the year, I know and I understand the logic behind thinking 'Oh my gosh I ate too much chocolate/ drank too much wine/ ate too much cheese' but you know what? Living with regret is not the way to go. Here are my personal steps for getting over the Christmas indulgence...

Let it go ~ Stop that negative self talk right now. So what if you have put on a couple of pounds, no one will notice apart from your own ego who always loves to play mind games with you. Let go of any negativity. Find a quiet space and just breathe. Focus on your breath, every inhale and every exhale. Let the negative go.

Drink water ~ At this time of the year it is sometimes difficult to get your water intake in which causes bloating, especially in women. You know what I am talking about right? Drinking water gets rid of this water weight and bloating. So fill up that water bottle and get drinking!

Get moving ~ It doesn't matter what you do just move! Pick yourself up off the sofa and get out of the house, go for a walk or a run. Your body will thank you. Yoga is great to do at home, find some space roll out your mat and browse YouTube for some videos.

Drink tea ~ I'm not talking about English tea with plenty of milk I am talking about herbal teas. Personally I find that herbal teas help to cleanse my system and keep my body happy (without going into too much detail!). I love the Pukka Teas, my favourites are 'Cleanse' and 'Detox'.

Be happy. Just as you are ~ Before you can move forward, perhaps you want to take the steps towards a healthy lifestyle, I am a big believer in being grateful for what you have and who you are right now. Send those positive vibes out to the universe and trust me when I say they will come back to you, 10 fold.

I wish you all a happy new year. Don't worry if you drink one glass of champagne too many tonight, that's fine! Enjoy the moment :) I also wanted to say THANK YOU to each and everyone of you who have followed my blog this year, I have hit over 3000 Bloglovin followers and I am over the MOON! Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Christmas Beauty Deals & Lancome Hypnose Star Mascara Review

2014-12-23T11:00:00.000+00:00

Oooh look a beauty related post! I must admit it has been a while. However if you know me well you will know that I love my beauty products, I love them even more if you find a good deal! So when the Lancome Hypnose Star Mascara Gift Set landed on my desk I just had to share.

Firstly if you haven't tried Lancome mascaras and you love a bit of a splurge on make up then run quickly to your nearest counter! I am a huge fan of big lashes so this mascara is perfect for me. It gives you full, thick longer lashes without flaking or smudging off onto my brow bone (yes this is a real with long eye lashes!). The gift set also comes with a mini Bi-Facial which is the perfect size for travelling with (not to mention is a brilliant, non oily eye make up remover) and a mini Khol eye pencil in black.

The best part? On Christmas Eve (tomorrow, eeeek!) this set along with the other Lancome mascara sets will be on offer. Reduced from £22.50 to £15. Considering the mascaras themselves usually cost £22.50 I think that this a great deal! Keep a keen eye on the House of Fraser website as they will be discounting several big beauty brands from the 24th December through to the 3rd of January. Including (it is rumoured) all three Urban Decay Naked Palettes! What's not to love?

If you know of any beauty deals please let me know in the comments section below.

Festive Fitness & Yoga Playlist #2

2014-12-22T11:37:00.000+00:00

It's getting so close to Christmas now right?! I am excited about travelling home to spend Christmas with my parents up North. It will be nice to have a break although I will be planning details and sequences for my new year yoga workshop and keeping myself busy!

Sometimes it is hard to stay active over the Christmas break so I thought I would share with you some of the ways I stay active and healthy.

Get outside for a winter walk ~ Although staying inside with a huge mug of hot chocolate can be tempting your body and mind will thank you for getting outside. Personally I love walking, it's become my new favourite form of cardio of late. Wrap up warm, grab your trainers and your headphones and you are good to go. I love walking as it clears my head and doesn't stress and strain the joints as much as running. I have been loving my Enduro Water Resistant Sports Earhook Earphones as they are comfortable, lightweight and the ear hooks are adjustable which is perfect for someone who usually suffers because everything is much too big!

Yoga, yoga, yoga ~ Need I say more? I make sure to take a lightweight yoga mat with me on my travels so that I can roll it out for some yoga practice while I am away. Yoga is perfect and so easy to fit into your day. You don't need to leave your house to get your sweat on! Plus twists are a perfect way of getting those digestive juices going and detoxifying the body. I love to practice to music so I thought I would share with you my latest yoga playlist which I have been using in my classes.

10 Law ~ East Forest
Intention ~ Earthrise Soundsystem
Still ~ Wade Imre Morissette
Makyen Ghrir Allah ~ Earthrise Soundsystem
Ajnabee ~ Earthrise Soundsystem
Jai Ma ~ Wah!
Marom ~ Earthrise Soundsystem
Nectar Drop ~ DJ Drez
Drift ~ Josh Brill
Om ~ Nadaka

I use my iPhone for all my yoga classes and my own cardio workouts. For my yoga classes I love using my Minirig speaker as it is portable, the sound is amazing, the battery life is very impressive and they are made in Bristol!

Drink water ~ It is important to drink lots of water during the winter months. As the weather is cooler it is often hard to remember to drink water but our bodies need it just as much. Even more so if you are celebrating with a glass (or three) of wine over the holidays. One of the best ways I find to get my water intake is to make a huge mug of lemon water first thing in the morning. Squeeze half a lemon into a mug with hot water. Pow. Done. Simple. It's so good for cleansing your system, your skin and immune system will thank you for it!

Do you have any tips for staying healthy and fit over the holidays?

This post was written in collaboration with Three. All views and words are my own.

Fitbug Orb // Fitness, Sleep & Activity Tracker

2014-12-16T14:46:00.000+00:00

There is a craze at the moment when it comes to fitness gadgets. Everyone seems to be selling one, from the Nike+ Fuelband to the Jawbone. I was offered the chance to try out one of these fitness gadgets in the form of the Fitbug Orb.

I am a very active person and I live a very active life. I walk daily, I teach yoga and I generally like to keep myself moving so for me one of the most interesting factors was seeing just how much a clock up on a daily basis. I only got the chance to try out the Fitbug for a few days so I feel that I cannot give you a very indepth review but if anyone is interested in a longer term review then I will be more than happy to, just leave a comment below :)

The Fitbug is effectively a step tracker, it doesn't track my yoga classes although I could manually input these in to the website. I couldn't however add them on my app which was installed on my tablet, I found this a bit of a nuisance.

The Fitbug Orb comes with all kinds of attachments so you can wear it is numerous ways. You can clip it onto your clothes or wear it as a watch. I chose to wear it as a watch but I found it was in my way a lot. Not to mention the bright pink plastic didn't really go with my boho yoga teacher look! However as I was sent this I didn't get to chose the colour, if I had I would have probably picked a neutral colour.

The most interesting aspect to the Fitbug Orb is the fact that it is a sleep tracker too. I found it interesting to see how much sleep I got, the quality of the sleep and how many times I woke up during the night.

The Fitbug Orb also sets targets for you based on your first week of data although I cannot comment on this as I haven't got to this stage yet.

If you are interested in tracking your fitness the Fitbug Orb is the cheapest on the market at £49.95 so it's worth a go. However personally and in my own honest opinion I wouldn't buy one for myself but I think if you are looking at increasing your exercise and want a visible tracker then this gadget is for you.

**The Fitbug Orb was sent to me to review. All views above are my own honest opinion.**

A Goal for the Soul

2014-12-15T17:48:00.001+00:00

Happy Monday! Today is a little post to let you all know that I am running a yoga workshop in the new year in Bristol. I am super excited to share this with you all and it would be amazing if you could attend!

Saturday 17 January 2015 2:00pm – 4:00pm at Breathe Bristol

This workshop is exactly what you need to begin the year. We will flow through a strong, grounding & energising vinyasa flow practice, set intentions for the new year & explore the manifestation of dreams! I will share tools & techniques I have used in my own life for the manifestation of a little dream I had this time last year ~ to become a yoga teacher! It will also be an opportunity to break down advanced poses, giving you a pathway for the logical progression for your own practice.

As the new moon approaching it is the perfect time to harness this energy, to cleanse and renew ourselves while making space for new intentions to manifest. We spend time reflecting so that we can move forward into the new year feeling restored and energised.

£18 early bird price for bookings before 03 January 2015. £20 thereafter. Open to all levels except complete beginners.

To book and secure your place please email jayne@jaynebeccayoga.com. Please note that spaces are limited, to secure your space payment must be made in advance. All payments are non-refundable. Thank you for understanding.

Workshop held: Breathe Bristol, 3 All Saints Court, Bristol, BS1 1JN

Healthy Snacking // Emily Fruit Crisps

2014-12-12T22:11:00.000+00:00

Everyone loves a snack and without a doubt one of my guilty pleasures is tucking into crisps while watching a film on a Saturday night, honestly I am so bad I have to limited myself. But a little of what we like does us good right? Today I want to introduce you to a healthier alternative to the humble potato crisp ~ Emily Fruit Crisps.

When these landed on my doorstep I couldn't wait to try them. It was mid afternoon when the postman came by so it was perfecting timing. I promptly ripped open and then devoured the Crunchy Apple Crisps. They are full of flavour and super crunchy, not to mention that the packaging is really cute. I must admit I wasn't so keen on the Banana ones, but Matt liked them.

The crisps are made in a vacuum that preserves all the good things in the fruit while still producing that 'crunch' that we all love. What I loved the most is that there are no nasty stuff in the crisps. No preservatives, no additives, no added sugar, no e numbers and they are gluten free too!

You can find Emily Fruit Crisps in Whole Foods and Selfridges.

OM Yoga // Yoga for Travellers

2014-12-08T10:58:00.000+00:00

Oh look it's Monday. Boo to the end of the weekend but yay for being that little bit closer to Christmas! During the holiday period we often do a lot of travelling to see family and friends so when I came across the Yoga for Travellers article in OM Yoga Magazine on how to take your practice anywhere I found it interesting.

I like to think I have a strong self practice but sometimes during this super busy time of year it is hard to roll out your mat when you'd rather have a hot chocolate on the sofa. However, trust me when I say that you will feel 100% better if you step up to the mat. My biggest tip and one which is mentioned in the article is to not put unrealistic expectations on yourself. Start with just five minutes, soon those five minutes will grow with your practice.

Long car journeys and sleeping on lumpy mattresses can take a toll on the body, you might also feel out of sorts being out of your regular routine. Your practice doesn't have to be complicated, just see what happens. Twists often feel good and they help to detox the body after eating or drinking a little too much. Which is inevitable during the holidays right?!

Sometimes family can cause stress. Your brother or sister might just annoy you a little bit when you are in close quarters, that aunt who is forever asking when you are getting married might tip you over the edge so rather than blowing steam out of your ears take a step back. I often talk about how we can use the breath as a tool during our yoga practice but we can use it off the mat to diffuse sticky situations as well. Pause. Find a quiet space and just breathe......

Written in collaboration with OM Yoga Magazine. All words and opinions are my own.

Oh hey, I'm back!

2014-12-03T13:52:00.000+00:00

I'm currently sitting on my sofa writing this post, just having eaten a yummy lunch of my favourite lentil soup and having taught a fun yoga class this morning...

So yes I am back after my little blogging break. I must admit it wasn't planned but I think it was much needed. I needed to take a step back from the internet world... I was starting to get consumed with having to post on my blogging, post on instagram and be this interesting, fun online yoga girl. I needed to reconnect to myself, to the present moment. Live and enjoy this beautiful little life I have created for myself. And so I did.

I reconnected to my yoga practice and meditation. I have also done some soul searching and healing from the inside. I have been reading a book which has allowed me to open my eyes and be AWAKE that much more. It's what I needed.

Sometimes we just need to take a step back and do some healing for the soul. My yoga teaching journey has been an exciting one but it's also been frightening at times. I unfortunately allowed those doubts to sink into my mind causing me to disconnect slightly with myself. With that those old demons of body image came back to the surface. So hence my need to heal. Yoga and meditation are powerful tools and that's always been something which I have wanted to share with others.

So as we transition into the winter I am finding myself reconnected, happy and keeping on shining! I am so excited by the path that this one beautiful life has taken me down. It's so good to be back and you can expect to see new posts soon, so if there is anything you would like me to share please do let me know. I am also happy to answer any questions you may have for a yoga teacher ;) Leave a comment or send me an email!

Namaste x

Sweaty Betty // Fitness Fashion Picks for Autumn and Winter

2014-11-06T14:29:00.000+00:00

I am finally feeling like I am settling into my teaching schedule after my first month so expect to see some more blog posts coming your way soon. I am also hoping to finally get my YouTube channel off it's feet so if there is anything you would like to see on there leave me a comment :)

Now let's get down to business!

I have been pouring over a few pieces from the Sweaty Betty autumn/ winter range recently so I thought I would share my favourite pieces with you. Now their price point is not for the faint hearted but the quality is amazing. I'll be honest it's all a little beyond my means at the moment as a new yoga teacher but I'll be watching out for sales and hopefully a few Christmas presents coming my way!

I am in love with the Urdhva Reversible Yoga Leggings, the colour is cute, the panelling is flattering and the high waistband makes them a perfect pair of leggings for yoga. And who doesn't love things that are reversible? That's two leggings for the price of one effectively! As the days are getting a lot chiller now and my evenings are often spent in yoga studios the Chaines Legwarmers are very high on my priority list!

1. Chaines Legwarmers 2. Urdhva Reversible Yoga Leggings 3. Sukhasana Yoga Sweat Top

4. Bakasana Yoga Vest 5. Nidra Yoga Capris

Back to Running?!

2014-10-31T14:35:00.000+00:00

Hello lovely readers! Happy Halloween :)

Today I tied up my shoe laces and ventured outside for the first time in what seems like months. I haven't really ran since the summer. Yes I burnt myself out with my half marathon training earlier in the year but then (yep, I'm admitting it) I got lazy. Yoga became pretty much my only way I moved my body, unless you count power walking and dancing in the shower/ kitchen/ generally being crazy around the house. I love practising a dynamic vinyasa, it's the perfect way to break a sweat and I love how it centres me and calms me down but I have missed having cardio in my life.

I was a little scared, I was pretty sure it would hurt and I was right. Five minutes in my lungs were burning, I felt slow, but you know what that's okay! Gone are the days when I would push and punish my body to it's limit. I'm running because IT MAKES ME FEEL GOOD. I set the intention to run for 20 minutes, and I did it! My legs felt tight, I felt faint, I was a sweaty mess in the crazy Indian Summer we are having but after I stretched, drank some water and got a shower.... I felt good! More than good, I felt GREAT!

So I will run, I will breathe because it makes me feel great and happy. Not because I am competing or punishing myself for eating something 'naughty'. Breathe, believe.

Live the life you DREAM of...

2014-10-21T09:49:00.000+01:00

Hello lovely readers, I am so sorry I was unable to share my last two blogging challenge posts on the days they should have gone up. I have had a couple of super busy days but in an amazing way. I have been pouring my heart and soul into teaching yoga and sharing my light with you hence why the blog took a little bit of a back seat. But not to worry I am back with post number six!

Ever heard of the phrase 'If you do a job that you love you will never work a day in your life'? I am sure you have. That's the dream right? So today I wanted to share with you a part of my life story about how I found my way and made the decision to live a life that I love.

Last year probably around this time I was working my office job day to day. A bit of an average office job which paid the bills, the people in the office were lovely (on the most part) and my job was secure. I had been in the job for around 6 years and not much had changed, but I figured, that's just life right? It was also around this time Matt said to me one day 'well you could be a yoga teacher', I of course being me just brushed that remark off. I could never do anything like that could I? As you will know I am a huge Gabby Bernstein fan and it was when I picked up 'Add more ~Ing in your life' that I really started to see a shift in my perspective. Through reading this book and making small changes in my own life I shifted my perspective from negative thought patterns of 'oh I'm not good enough' & 'I could never do that' to positivity and happiness. By being happy with where you are you create space and openness for something new. When January of this year rolled around I made a promise to myself that I could and I would make my dreams happen. Of course my ego stepped in at times making me second guess myself. I had hiccups along the way, but how I dealt with them was different. I grew in confidence, I could see my light shining and I could see that I was beginning to inspire others in their own path. Teaching yoga was what I was born to do.

What came after my teaching training was probably the most nerve racking for me. I had to put myself out there and teach! That first class was a room full of 30 people, I was excited but so so nervous and that came through my voice. I was shaky and sweating from nerves. However I knew that if I really wanted to teach yoga and connect to people I had to make myself vulnerable like that. So with a determination I never knew I had I taught that class and each one that followed has got easier. I am slowly finding my voice and my feet. Three months down the line I am so happy that I made that jump....

'What if I fall? Oh, but my darling... what if you fly?'

Take that leap. whatever it is, no matter how big or small, have faith in yourself and FLY!

Be Present

2014-10-18T18:15:00.000+01:00

Hello beautiful people and happy Saturday to you. I hope you are all having a wonderful day. Today I wanted to share with you a quote I have been sharing in my yoga classes this week...

'Everyday set the simple goal of being more awake and less distracted.' ~ Russell Simmons.

Often people find it difficult to just be present. There are so many distractions in this world, social media, to do lists, thoughts racing, looking forward to the future too much or dwelling in your past too much. We are all guilty of this from time to time. Today take notice of every beautiful, little moment in your day. Your morning cup of coffee. The sound of the rain on the rooftop. The coolness of the autumn breeze. Notice every smile, be kind, be AWAKE. Live in the moment and love the life you live.

You probably didn't know this about me...

2014-10-17T15:16:00.001+01:00

Today I want to share with you a few things about myself that you might not know about me so YOU can get to know ME better.

I met my boyfriend in a video game. Say what?! Oh yes I did. I took online dating to a whole other level! There is a game called World of Warcraft and if you are into gaming at all you will know exactly what I mean. It's a huge online multi-player game. It was in this game as fate would have it that I met Matt, we became friends online and started to connect on a more personal level. I was going through a rough time with my long distance relationship at the time, I was hurt, I was feeling alone and I didn't know what to do about it all. Slowly I began to realise that my relationship really wasn't working and it wasn't healthy for me. So long story short, as the universe would have it Matt and I ended up together, we travelled around the USA for 6 weeks, I moved to Bristol and the rest is history!

I am addicted to Nutella. That sugary, chocolatey goodness is an addiction. I rarely ever have it in the house just because I will clean out the whole jar. It's a problem ;)

I used to get so nervous about speaking in front of or even just on the phone to someone I didn't know. I am not a natural speaker and I never have been. I used to get cold sweats and shake when I knew I had to speak in front of a small group or call back a customer at work. But I teach yoga right? Yes I know it doesn't make sense. All I can say is that yoga has helped me face my fears, teaching yoga comes naturally to me. Yoga helped me find my shine.

Sometimes I find meditation difficult. My mind races with everything I need to get done in my new yoga adventure, working for yourself is amazing but at the same time... you have no one to rely on but yourself. So when I find myself trying to meditate and find it difficult to let go of my day. It takes time for me to settle into my space. So don't worry if it takes you time to get into a meditation routine, being still and stilling the mind can be challenging ~ trust me, I am with you on this one!

My favourite YouTuber is Fleur DeForce. This is a guilty pleasure of mine and the only YouTuber I feel I must watch every single video she puts up is Fleur DeForce. She has a realness about her that is humbling, I feel like I can relate and connect to her even if she is just on my computer screen.

I have titanium plates in my right arm. When I was 15 I fell off my horse Midnight. It was bad, I had a compound fracture to my right arm, this means that one of the bones came out of the skin. I don't blame anyone for this, it was just a total freak accident. In order to repair my arm they put in two titanium plates and several screws, yep they are still in there and nope I do not beep when I go through security at the airport!

I never knew what I wanted to do with my life when I was younger. And you know what? That's okay. I truly believe that everyone has a path to follow, it's just about reading the signs for the universe. It will come to you when you are ready.

I am MESSY! So messy. I am sure it drives Matt nuts as he is always picking up after me. The strange thing is that I love a tidy house, so I need to contain my messiness! I just have a habit of spreading everything out, especially clothes, all over the floor.

I used to feel disgusted with my own body. It's been a long road travelled to learn how to appreciate my body and love it for all that it is. I still have my dark days but they are becoming few and far between. I did this my implementing some positive changes into my life, how I perceive my body, the way that I eat and how I approach exercise. Letting go of all the rules and just loving life, being present and feeling FREE.

I love to sing. In the shower, in the car, humming along while I am writing. Yep, I am THAT girl. I'm not a bad singer however I am not the best singer but you know what? I just don't care because it makes me feel GOOD!

Tell me one thing that most people probably don't know about you in the comments :)

Yoga 101 // The Vinyasa Breakdown

2014-10-16T22:45:00.001+01:00

Yoga teaches the body how to flow and balance, the essence of this is the Vinyasa, movements in unison with the breath. The noun Vinaysa essentially means four poses connected into one and they form the basis of our sun salutations - high plank, chaturanga, upward facing dog and downward facing dog.

As we 'move through our Vinyasa' we feel a connection between the body and the breath, the flow of the movements in our yoga practice. These four poses keep the heat in the body and the flow of life (the prana) high throughout the body and the practice. The Vinyasa can be challenging at first, just remember that yoga has a lot to do with muscle memory so the first time you come into a yoga pose the body may not like it. As you move your body over time, the new muscles you are working will begin to remember the way you moved. You will gain strength and flexibility.

So lets break it down...

High Plank

Bring your weight into the L shape of your hands, fingers spread wide. Heels of the hand underneath the shoulders, the body in one long line from the base of the neck to the heels of your feet. Core engaged and the ribcage knitting together.

Chaturanga

On an exhale lower down slowly keeping the elbows into your sides.

Upward Facing Dog

Inhale placing the tops of the feet into the mat. Weight into your hands and feeling the backbend up through the spine, gaze forward.

Downward Facing Dog

On an exhale engage the core, lifting the hips up and back. Hands are as wide as your shoulders, shoulders relaxed and neck nice and long. Feet are about hip width apart heels sinking energetically towards the earth.

And just for you I have made a video putting it all together. Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube channel for more yoga videos and how you can find your shine!

Follow your passion.....

2014-10-15T15:10:00.001+01:00

Where would I be if I hadn't taken a leap of faith, following my heart, my passion down along the path of yoga teaching? More than likely I would be in the same old office job, daydreaming the days away waiting for the clock to tick to 5pm. But how did I start along this path I hear you ask?

Everybody has a story. What I have learnt over the years is that you need to embrace your story, own it, you cannot change your past but you can look forward to the future while living in the present moment. It is up to us to OWN our story, to embrace it as part of yourself. So here is my story...

When I was a teenager I loved sports, I was good at running and playing hockey and netball. It made me feel like one of the popular girls. But I wasn't. Like so many teenagers I felt uncomfortable in my own skin. At 5'2" I felt short and fat, I felt that I wasn't pretty enough, boys didn't like me and I felt that people thought I was strange. So I began a love/ hate relationship with food and started to obsessively weigh myself. If I look back at my diaries from the age of 15 through to 18 you can see at the top of every page is my weight. Eight stone twelve pounds one day, nine stone two pounds another day. I had a distorted image of myself, what I saw in the mirror was not the reality.

I had an amazing childhood with parents who were so supportive, I attended a great school, I had my own horses, my parents would drive me miles every weekends for competitions. For that I am so so grateful. But I wasn't happy in myself. I would dream of being a sun-kissed California girl never happy living in the present moment. Fast forward a few years and a few pounds added and I was living with my soulmate Matt in Bristol, happy in my relationship, my family and home life but still lacking confidence in myself. It didn't matter what anyone else told me I never felt pretty enough. I was never over weight, I understand this now. My issue was the distorted view I had of myself.

One day while looking online at health and workout videos something just clicked for me. I made a choice to live life with no regrets and beginning with my own fitness I took the plunge towards living a healthier lifestyle. I educated myself on nutrition and I started to take care of myself from the inside out. I took responsibility for my health and my life. I began to workout and run again... and then I found yoga. I had always dipped in and out of yoga throughout my life but for some reason at this point it my life I was truly drawn to it. I remember walking into my first class at my local leisure centre and being so so afraid. I faced the fear and I have not looked back.

Yoga to me is so much more than the physical practice. It is about leading your life from your heart centre. Letting go of what no longer serves you, making space for the new. Living your life with no regrets! Diving into an adventure without a second thought. Just think, what is the one beautiful thing that you want your life to be? Take hold of that thought and every single day take a baby step towards that goal. Yoga has allowed me to let go of the body image demons that I haunted me for years. Enjoy food again without the fear of the number on the scale.

This year I DREAMED BIG! I left my home for three weeks to Devon where I took my yoga teacher training. It was the most blessed, beautiful, sunny three weeks and along with way I was lucky to meet some wonderful souls who I know will forever be my friends for life. I hit the ground running when I got back home, teaching my very first yoga class to Matt (of course!). I was so excited to be able to spread the light, my knowledge and my passion to everyone. I wish to share my passion with you, and maybe inspire you along your own path... because who knows what is right around the corner? Have faith and dream big!

Love & light,
Jayne

Who is Jayne Becca?

2014-10-14T22:53:00.000+01:00

Hello lovely people! It's past 10pm here but I was so inspired when an email from the beautiful Alex Beadon dropped into my mail box that I just had to join in with the Feel Good Blogging Challenge. Oh Yes! That means that I will be blogging every day for seven days so get ready to be inspired and who knows, maybe you might learn a little bit more about me.

Who am I?
My actual name is Jayne Antins and my middle name is Rebecca... hence Jayne Becca was born! I am originally from Cumbria in the north west of England and I grew up right next to the beach. That's right, I am a beach bum at heart! I am currently living in Bristol and I love this city, it is so vibrant and there is always something fun going on. I love to read and I am really into self-help style books and spirituality at the moment. I also have a guilty pleasure in that I love watching US teen dramas, my current favourite is Pretty Little Liars. I just love getting lost in that world for an hour! I am a yoga teacher and I have a huge passion for health, fitness and helping brighten other peoples days :)

Why did you start blogging?
I started blogging back in 2012 and I originally started this blog as a beauty blog. I love watching beauty bloggers on YouTube and reading beauty blogs so I figured why not give it a go myself? I found it to be a great creative outlet for myself as I was working at a pretty uninspiring office job at the time. As the months went on I found myself blogging more and more about my own personal fitness journey, health and wellness which is the direction this blog is now taking me in.

Who is your blog for?
My blog is for anyone and everyone who wants to find happiness and become comfortable in their own skin. I have been there with the negative self talk and body image distortion. In this vast world of social media it is so easy to be sucked into a world where we are comparing ourselves to other people on a daily basis. I wish to inspire people to be happy just as they are and to know that they are enough. I also wish to share my own tips on following a healthy lifestyle, share my passion for yoga and maybe inspire someone to follow their own dreams as I have.

What's something you have been working on lately that you are really proud of?
My yoga teaching certification and journey into living my dream and teaching yoga full time. If you read my blog on a regular basis you will know a little bit about my journey into becoming a yoga teacher. It has been scary, at times I have been unsure of my path but with the help of the universe nudging me along my way I am reaching for the stars!

What's the ONE message that you hope people take away from your blog?
To shine your light. To not be afraid of whatever it is you are afraid of. You can take that step into living a healthy lifestyle full of balance (because everyone needs a cupcake once in a while!).

Love & light until tomorrow!
Jayne